Computer Spot

computer tips, computer freaks, computer geeks


Some Tools for Protecting Your Privacy


The open source community has developed privacy-related tools to help you keep your data and online activities private.

With these tools, you don’t have to spend big bucks just to purchase expensive security tools. Whether you are a developer, student, or new open source user, you’re sure to find tools here that can help keep your data secret.

Developer Tools

  • Jasypt – Jasypt is a tool you can use to add encryption to your code if you are not fully knowledgeable with cryptography. This tool uses standards-based encryption methods or techniques that allow you to encrypt text, numbers, passwords and more.
  • JCrypTool – this tool allows you to learn about encryption and cryptography. It makes it easy for users to experiment on different encryption mechanisms.

Read the rest of this entry →

10 Tips on Buying a Used Computer


Used computers are still useful.  They can help you save money and with that, you can spend your money wisely on other things.

If you are planning to buy a computer for personal use at home or for your kids, and want to consider buying a used computer, this article is for you.

You might want to consider the ten tips below on buying a used computer.

  1. If you are not a tech-savvy, ask your tech-savvy friends to shop with you.  They can help you choose the right specifications for your computing needs.
  2. Search online computer stores that sell used or second hand computers.  Make sure to search to at least 3 or 5 stores for price, specifications and warranty comparison.  Read the reviews to help you give ideas in choosing and buying wisely.
  3. If you are buying a used computer at a local computer store, make sure to give a thorough physical inspection on the used computer unit.  This is to ensure that the computer is not damage and all functions are working.  Insist on testing the computer yourself rather than watching the seller to do it for you.
  4. Read the rest of this entry →

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Microsoft Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology


Want a mouse that can work on virtually any surface?  Then Microsoft Explorer Mouse is the right mouse for your computing needs.

Microsoft Explorer Mouse uses the BlueTrack technology which combines the functionality of optical with the precision of laser that allows tracking on more surfaces including carpet, granite, and rough-grained wood.

But the Blue Track technology doesn’t work on clear glass or mirrored surfaces.  Nevertheless, users can now take advantage of using this mouse on virtually any surfaces. Read the rest of this entry →

3 Reasons Why We Should Use Open Source Software


As we all know, open source software’s source code is available to the general public for modification or use from its original design or structure free of charge.

One of the famous open source softwares is Linux operating systems.  But open source is not just about access to the source code.  It has free distribution and it does not restrict other software.

Have you ever wonder why you should use open source software?

This article sites the top reasons why you should use open source software.

  • First, open source programs are RELIABLE.
  • Open source software’s source code availability to the public makes the program reliable.

    Whenever there is a bug detected, developers or users tried to fix those bugs within a couple of hours, report it to the maintainers of the software and release an updated version.

    Users may opt to choose to use the fixed version or the official version (including the fix releases). Read the rest of this entry →

10 Tips to Buy a Computer for Your Kid


Computers have become almost an appliance at home.  Even children are familiar with computers and use them for various reasons.

Children are attracted to computers because they consider it as a toy.  They usually think that computers are for gaming and multimedia purposes.  Some think that it’s for educational purposes.

If you are planning to buy a computer for your kid, choose wisely.

You can consider the following 10 tips below to buy the right computer for your kid:

  1. Know your kid’s computing needs
  2. Make sure that you know your kid’s computing needs.  The computer that you kid needs may be used for research, homework, multimedia or gaming.

  3. Buy an affordable computer
  4. Once you know your kid’s computing needs, you can now have the option to choose the features and specifications for the computer.  With this, you will be able to buy an affordable computer that meets your kid’s computing needs. Read the rest of this entry →

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Understanding Phishing


Phishing is a scam where emails are sent to users falsely claiming to be a legitimate source or company in an attempt to gather private information for the purpose of stealing information or identity theft.

“Phishing” came from the analogy that online scammers are using email techniques to “fish” private information like passwords or credit card number from Internet users.

A typical phishing scenario involves a scammer or criminal sending spam email messages to thousands or millions of email addresses.

These email messages are forged to make them appear to have come from a legitimate or reputable source such as a bank, credit card company or financial institutions. Read the rest of this entry →

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5 Benefits of Internet


Internet is a network system of computer networks, wherein users from any computer, if they have permissions, can get information from other computers.

It provides connectivity between computers through hardware and software infrastructure.

Internet has various services such as electronic mail (e-mail), online chat, online gaming, file transfer or sharing, video streaming, and interlinked hypertext documents.

Benefits of the Internet

  1. Provides faster communication channel like e-mail, instant messaging, file transfer and file sharing.  With this, users will be able to communicate effectively and can save time and effort.
  2. Provides latest news and online references.  Most of the newspapers today are now online.  Users can browse the internet web sites to read the latest news, research on online encyclopedias, and join forums to learn new things from other people.  With this, accessing information is faster.
  3. Provides entertainment like uploaded movies, movie guides, video streaming, and music downloads.  Users can now listen to online radio stations and download the songs they want.
  4. Provides commerce services like online shopping, travel bargains, plane schedules, and buy and sell.  With ecommerce, users can buy items online by just using their credit card or any form of bank transactions and without the need to go to the mall.  They can just wait for the items to be delivered on their doorstep.
  5. Provides jobs to people who want to make money online like buy and sell services, blogs and web design.

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Brief Introduction of Computer Printer


Printer is a peripheral used to produce or print hard copy of documents (text or illustrations) stored in an electronic form or soft copy to paper or transparencies.

It is one of the most essential computer peripherals because it helps users to have a hard copy of any documents they want to have.

A printer is connected to a computer through a printer cable (LPT1) or USB cable.  There are also network computers that have built in network interfaces to enable printing services for network users.

Modern network printers have the all-in-one capability to scan, print, convert to .PDF documents, photocopy, fax and email documents to users connected on the network. Read the rest of this entry →

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Brief Introduction of Motherboard


Motherboard is one of the main components of a computer and made of the printed circuit board (PCB).

The motherboard is also known as mainboard, system board, logic board or sometimes, shortened as “mobo”.

It serves as the backbone of a system because it provides all the electrical connections by which other components of the system communicate.

Aside from that, it hosts the central processing unit (CPU), and other devices. Read the rest of this entry →

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Video Chat Inside Your Gmail Page


As you know there are some chatting’s software which can be used as video chat. But how about if you can do video chat inside your email accounts. Isn’t it excited?

Few weeks ago, google mail or gmail launched voice and video chat inside gmail. It’s a great news for gmail chat user, including me.

Gmail official blogs said

But people can only type so fast, and even with our new emoticons, there are still some things that just can’t be expressed in a chat message.

That’s why today we’re launching voice and video chat — right inside Gmail. We’ve tried to make this an easy-to-use, seamless experience, with high-quality audio and video — all for free.

If gmail is your main email, you can save your time to contact your client. You don’t need to sign in to other chat’s software. It’s all in one, email, text chat, video chat, and voice chat, inside your gmail.

Here are some steps how you can set up your gmail voice and video chat :

  • Friends list in your gmail
  • Install Headset and webcam
  • Install the voice and video plugin. Here is the link to install. Gmail Voice and Video chat. You need to restart your browser to enable this feature.
  • Move your mouse over one of your friend list, it’s located at left sidebar of your gmail. Click ways of chat you want. If you want to do video chat, choose ‘video and more’.
  • You can see the pic below

  • If your friend already install the plugin, you can start video chating with your friend.

It’s really easy and fun, isn’t it? Why don’t you try to video chat inside your gmail. Share your comment with us.